SAN JOSE MAN FACES CHARGES IN WALMART CRASH ATTACK

A San Jose man faces felony charges after smashing his vehicle through the front entrance of a Walmart store and striking employees and store patrons with a metal club. Three months ago, Hamid Ade Zaid crashed his car through the front doors of a city gas station, narrowly missing two clerks.

The 33-year-old will be arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. in Department 23 of the Hall of Justice on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, hit and run, felony vandalism and reckless driving. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

“This is a very serious case,’’ Deputy District Attorney Deborah Hernandez said. “Mr. Zaid endangered innocent people in that neighborhood, in the parking lot, and spending their Sunday shopping inside a store.”

The bizarre incident began around 11 a.m. March 31, 2013, Easter Sunday, when several witnesses observed a 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass driving recklessly in an East San Jose neighborhood. Zaid drove into the Walmart parking lot off of Story Road, bustling with patrons. He sped around the crowded lanes, narrowly missing customers, and eventually hit a moving car. Zaid then stopped, revved his engine and steered the Buick directly through the front doors of the store. As people fled, Zaid then backed the Buick up, stopped and again drove his car further into the store - ultimately getting stuck in a tangle of shopping carts. Zaid then exited the car, swinging a large metal club at people. He struck at least two people, knocking one employee unconscious. Zaid was eventually tackled and tied up with belts until police arrived. The incident was captured on surveillance video.

This is not the first time Zaid has crashed a car into a San Jose business. Just before 6 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2012, he was involved in an accident on Meridian and Hillsdale avenues after running a red light. After a high-speed flight from the scene, he drove a car into Chevron gas station on W. Capitol Expressway, smashing the car through the glass front doors.

The investigation is ongoing and witnesses are asked to contact San Jose Police Department, Detective Adam Crawley at (408) 277-4161.